It’s an outcome that’s become all too familiar over the past several seasons.
The Baltimore Ravens couldn’t close out a victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in the home opener last Sunday even though they had a ten-point lead in the Fourth Quarter.
Penalties, poor execution, and allowing the Raiders two best players, Davante Adams and Maxx Crosby to change the game on both sides of the ball led to another late collapse to drop the Ravens to 0-2 for the first time since 2015.
It’s been a frustrating start of the 2024 campaign so far, one loss by a toe over the end line and another on a late Field Goal with twenty-seven seconds left. With a few breaks this team would be undefeated heading into Dallas instead of staring at what feels like a must win.
I don’t feel like it’s time to panic just yet. But there are some concerning trends that need to be fixed, and it leads me to consider many questions.
Has the decline of Justin Tucker begun?
Yes, and Yes.
It’s hard to argue the fact that he simply isn’t auto-ma-tuck from Fifty yards plus anymore. His miss last Sunday ended up being crucial as Baltimore lost by three, and the numbers reveal that Coach Harbaugh may have a huge problem.
Tucker has made one of his last seven FG attempts from Fifty and beyond.
Only one.
Meanwhile the rest of the league is 35 of 37 combined from past Fifty Yard distance.
Tucker has gone from being clutch to a liability very quickly. He’s had a magnificent career since he joined the club in 2012 but as we know everyone’s time will eventually come. We only hope that this season isn’t the last for Number Nine.
How bad is the Offensive Line?
You can use scientific metrics or the eye test. Whichever method you prefer the Ravens revamped line is having many “growing pains” as Coach Harbaugh said in a recent interview.
The right side has been particularly painful to watch as super sub Patrick Mekari and Daniel Faalele were beaten most of the afternoon and rarely established much push in the run game. The other twist to the tale is that when rookie Roger Rosengarten came in at tackle he solidified his position and kept the talented Crosby at bay. Then for some reason he was rotated out.
I’m still a bit confused after typing that last statement. Rotating lineman isn’t normal in the NFL, although we saw Baltimore do it previously while trying to get Ronnie Stanley back up to par. Rosengarten should be the starter – full time at Right Tackle moving forward and Mekari should move to Guard or the bench if Ben Cleveland can break free Harbaugh’s infamous doghouse.
The team knew they were taking a huge risk replacing three starters along the line and so far the experiment has cost them. Derrick Henry isn’t getting much room to operate when he gets the ball in the run game and Lamar Jackson is tied for fourth in the NFL in most pressured quarterbacks.
Change must happen this week, but I fear that Harbaugh will stay with his original five until further notice.
Was the Ravens secondary overrated coming into this season?
Last year, the Ravens averaged the fewest passing yards per attempt (5.9), this season they are allowing (8.6) tied for third most in the NFL.
It’s essentially the same group from last season but without Defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald and rookie Nate Wiggins. The inconsistency is what’s most frustrating because other parts of the defense look stellar.
The run defense has been fantastic as they basically shut down the Vegas rush attack and held them to twenty-seven rushing yards. Orr’s bunch has been able to generate pressure as they have eight sacks in the first two games. But they’ve given up the most passing yards (514) in the league.
So, can the Ravens get right against the Cowboys?
Possibly. The New Orleans Saints just gave them a blueprint as they ended Dallas’ seventeen game win streak at home and ran all over their opposition. They scored touchdowns on their first six drives on four hundred and thirty-two yards of offense.
For that to happen for Baltimore they need the Offensive Line to have a much game improved game to open running lanes and to keep Micah Parsons off the quarterback.
I think Harbaugh’s stubbornness bites him again and the Ravens lose another close one 24-23.
Happy Football and Go Ravens!
Matt has lived in Maryland his entire life and is a graduate of Calvert Hall and Towson University. has always been an avid Baltimore sports fan. Since 2007, he has been writing and talking about Baltimore sports, especially the Ravens. His work has appeared on Ravens Gab, Russell Street Report, and he currently co-hosts a podcast “The Blitz- A Ravens podcast” with Brent Harris.